Cork completed the first leg of a potential All-Ireland hurling championship treble when they defeated Galway to retain the U20 title.

Four goals - two either side of half-time - propelled Pat Ryan's side to an impressive 4-19 to 2-14 victory over the Tribesmen at Semple Stadium this evening.

The result will come as a huge confidence boost to the county who remarkably contest three All-Ireland hurling finals in five days - the minors and seniors are also gunning for glory. 

The Rebels got off to a flying start as Darragh Flynn, tucked away a penalty three minutes into the game, before a string of points by Flynn, Sam Quirke and Jack Cahalane had them 1-5 to 0-0 in front.

It took Galway 13 minutes to register their first score through free-taker Donal O'Shea but the holders would move 2-5 to 0-2 clear by the first water-break after Cahalane got in behind the defence and batted home his side's second goal.

Boasting a squad brimming with All-Ireland medals from the past three seasons, Jeffrey Lynskey's charges had plenty of work to do at half-time, trailing 2-9 to 0-5.

Cork captain Cormac O'Brien lifts the James Nowlan Cup. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

They admirably fought their way back into the contest, scoring an unanswered 1-4 on the resumption, with O'Shea cracking home a superb goal but that was almost immediately replied to by Cork's third from man-of-the-match Padraig Power, top scorer with 1-5 over the hour.

The Rebels weathered the storm and finished strongly with another flurry of points from Flynn, Ben Cunningham and Power as Brian Hayes tacked on their fourth goal going into injury-time.

There was still time for substitute Alex Connaire to raise a second Galway green flag but it proved to be little more than a consolation.

 

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